The Web of Knightspur-Chapter 251 - 247

Princess Eleanor was silent, "Your thinking was wrong?"

"Yes. Erasmus had not forgotten what the Emperor or the current Empress had done. But he was still aware of your position. You were the real chosen one." Grand Duke Christopher continued, "When I knew about it, I went to meet him. Not as a Grand Duke, but as his brother. After all, it involved the person I loved. Erasmus was a little afraid. I cannot lie. Men can have the power to influence people but I have the power to kill them. After all, I am known as the bloodthirsty Grand Duke."

Grand Duke Christopher then sighed, "There was a continuous back and forth in our discussions, but we managed to finally come to a conclusion. You wanted the position of the Empress to do what you want, and I wanted to see you sit at that height. Thus, we decided that I would be taking the First Prince’s role. I would claim the position and be married to you. Erasmus knew that you wanted Prince Richard dead. After all, he was involved in your parent’s death. And he has his ways to deal with the Emperor." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"Erasmus wants most to see his father die with regret. He wants to make him suffer and cut out the cancer which is the current Royal Family." Grand Duke Christopher explained to Princess Eleanor. "He does not want the throne. And why would he want it anyway, when he is more powerful right now? However, he wants only one thing from me. To not get involved in his revenge."

"And you don’t want it?" Princess Eleanor asked, "The Emperor killed your parents too."

"Erasmus and I are brothers. I will not mind him taking actions on my behalf here. And we both cannot have blood on our hands. One of us should be there to clean it up as well." Grand Duke Christopher smiled, "Erasmus and my revenge are not that different. I am a man who believes in strategy. I just need the end result. Only that matters to me. And in this, the end result will be the death of those who have plotted and killed my parents."

"But isn’t Priest Erasmus involved in my parent’s death? He knew that Prince Richard would kill them, right?" Tears started rolling down her cheeks as Princess Eleanor tried hard to control them. "He should have tried to control it..."

"But he did not know." Grand Duke Christopher gently brushed the tears off Princess Eleanor’s face as he said in a small tone. "He only knew about it after everything had already happened. He is someone who has suffered the same fate as you. He would not be able to stand seeing another child go through a similar experience if he could help it." Christopher sighed as he continued, "But when he investigated, it was already too late. Even if Richard was not involved, Felix would have taken action either way. And I know of it too, Eleanor. Your brother had sent a letter. You have seen it too. Felix was a snake who was ready to strike at any moment."

Princess Eleanor was silent. She knew now that Felix was not someone she could blindly trust. "What are his plans? What will happen?"

"You need not worry about anything. Nothing will happen that will harm your plans. You just need to take care of everything on your end, and I will make sure that none of the blame falls on you." Grand Duke Christopher told her reassuringly, "So don’t worry and go to sleep. We have a busy day tomorrow, so let’s rest peacefully for now."

Princess Eleanor sighed helplessly. She knew that she should believe in the words of the man, but there was still a slight fear in her heart. What if something that was about to change did not? What if there is a sudden incident that makes everything else they had planned go to waste?

Grand Duke Christopher gently pressed on Princess Eleanor’s head so she would rest against his shoulders. "It’s okay. I know what you are worried about. Nothing will go wrong. Trust yourself and in me."

Princess Eleanor nodded her head as she closed her eyes. The day was a hectic one. She knew that many things had happened and many more were about to come. "They will know that Felix has died." Princess Eleanor murmured.

"Prince Richard will get the news early in the morning. If my observation is correct, then he will not tell you anything until the end of the day, after you have chosen him. After all, the basis of the deal is you chose him as the Crown Prince and he will help you get revenge. But if that is taken away from him, then what remains in his hand to make you choose him? He has to have something that he can control."

"I understand." Princess Eleanor said quietly, "It is not that I do not understand it. It was never the case, but now that the truth is out, I am a little afraid. I need to restructure my mind in a way that I do not show any weakness in front of him."

"Yes." Grand Duke Christopher kissed Princess Eleanor’s forehead as he ran his hand over her hair. "We need to rest. Tomorrow will be a hectic day."

Princess Eleanor nodded her head as she closed her eyes. She wanted to rest too. Princess Eleanor knew that the situation in the near future will be getting more complicated and there will be struggles coming their way. Nothing comes easy and if it does, then she should be thankful and work hard to maintain her happiness.

"I’m sleepy." There was tiredness in Princess Eleanor’s eyes. "Let’s sleep in peace for today."

Grand Duke Christopher’s eyes softened as he looked at her and nodded his head. He carefully helped Princess Eleanor lean back on the bed before he himself took the spot beside her. "Will they know?"

Grand Duke Christopher smiled at Princess Eleanor’s words. He kissed her eyes softly as he smiled, "Do not worry. They will never know about it. The knights and soldiers are all loyal to the Beaumont house while the rest are loyal to the Temple."

Princess Eleanor nodded her head as she moved closer to Christopher. Her nose hit his chest as she closed her eyes. "Let’s sleep then."

Grand Duke Christopher smiled as he wrapped his hands around Princess Eleanor, pulling her into his arms. He too needed some time to clear his mind. And soon, the both of them fell into a deep slumber.

—--

Princess Eleanor’s eyes opened as she looked up at Grand Duke Christopher’s sleeping face. She touched his face softly before she turned around to gently remove his arms from her. She needed some time to get ready.

Her eyes looked out at the sky. Although the moon was shining brightly, she could still see the traces of light struggling to come out. It was evident that the sun was about to fill the sky with its warmth.

Princess Eleanor shook her head, ’It will be morning in a few hours.’ Her hands moved to her pendant as she opened it slowly only to see her family’s picture. ’It is time to prepare for the death of your killers. I have managed to punish one, while knowingly or unknowingly Felix had already punished the rest. Now the only one remaining is the Crown Prince.’

Princess Eleanor closed the pendant and she kissed it before turning her head around. Her eyes looked at the man who was still sleeping on the bed as she thought, ’I have found the man that I love. I am happy now. He understands me for who I am and even appreciates my thoughts. I think I will be happy with him. After all of this is over, I will bring him to meet you all. Please bless us.’

Princess Eleanor was emotional but soon, she swallowed hard. She knew that she needed to embrace herself now.

Princess Eleanor walked towards the table and she opened a drawer. She placed the ring on the table. Her eyes looked inside the drawer. The medicine that Doctor Raul gave her was sitting there with a Knightspur flower. A smile played on her face as Princess Eleanor wore gloves and took them out.

She took the bottle out and she left it on the table. Taking the ring, she applied some pressure on the tip and soon it sprung open. Princess Eleanor twisted open the bottle cap and she took a knightspur flower. She dipped the stem into the bottle before placing it inside the ring slowly, allowing the hollow surface to be filled with that deadly poison.

’This much will do.’ Once Princess Eleanor saw that it was almost full, she slid the lid and closed the opening of the ring. The poison was now stored inside it. Princess Eleanor closed the bottle securely and placed it back into the drawer.

Princess Eleanor then took a white cloth and she placed it on the table. She wiped the ring clean with the help of the gloves before she placed it on the cloth. ’Let’s just leave it there for now. I need you to work tomorrow.’

Princess Eleanor took a deep breath as she walked towards the opened window. She looked out as she saw the sun coming up. Princess Eleanor did not waste any more time as she turned around and went to wash her hands. When she walked out of the bathroom, she saw Grand Duke Christopher sitting on the bed looking at her with a bright smile.

"Ready for today?"

Princess Eleanor nodded her head firmly and replied, "Ready!"